Poll: Canadians sour on energy exports to Asia

About 54% of almost 3,500 Canadians surveyed in the online poll said the hazards exceed the advantages of shipping crude oil and liquefied natural gas to Asia, up from 51% a year ago.

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By DOUG ALEXANDER

Bloomberg

Canadians are less convinced about the benefits of exporting
energy to Asia, according to an Asia Pacific Foundation of
Canada poll.

Fifty-four percent of almost 3,500 Canadians surveyed in the
online poll said the hazards exceed the advantages of
shipping crude oil and liquefied natural gas to Asia, up from
51% last year, the Vancouver-based organization said Tuesday
in a report.

Prime Minister Stephen Harpers government must decide
by June 17 whether to approve Enbridges Northern
Gateway pipeline, which would transport Alberta oil through
British Columbia to the Pacific Coast where it could be
shipped to Asia.

A majority of British Columbians want Harper to reject or
delay the project amid concern it could lead
to spills, a Bloomberg-Nanos poll published last
week showed.

Support has dwindled for building pipelines to move oil to
the ports, with 42% in favor compared to 45% in 2013, the
Asia Pacific Foundation report found. The idea of building
pipelines to move natural gas to Canadas west coast
ports is less popular than a year ago, with 49% in support
compared to 54% in 2013.

The survey underscored environmental concerns. Forty
percent of respondents said tankers should be allowed to
carry liquefied natural gas (LNG) into west coast waters,
with 44% opposing. Last year, both views had 42% support, the
report said. Only 37% said oil tankers should enter west
coast waters, with 48% opposed, the survey found.

Canada should give priority to relations with the US rather
than venturing into Asia too quickly, 54% surveyed said.
Thats up from 49% in 2013.

Findings are based on a survey of 3,487 Canadian adults
between Feb. 25 and March 7 conducted by Angus Reid Public
Opinion.

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Canada should definitely explore Asian market and should not rely on US market only. Recently US market has been stopping force for oil sands' growth, Keystone pipiline being very good example. Asian market is growing so why not to tap into it?